La Roja Reigns 🇪🇸

08/21/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Spain Tops England (1-0) on Olga Carmona’s Goal to Win 1st Ever FIFA Women’s World Cup

¡La Roja de Historia! After 63 games and countless moments of drama, soccer down under has found its inevitable champion. Spain captured their first-ever World Cup title Sunday morning in Sydney with a 1-0 victory against England. The deciding goal came early on from the boot of Spain’s Olga Carmona. Let’s break it down and tie a bow on the World Cup.

 

How Spain Won The Finals

Both clubs had early chances that didn’t reach the back of the net. England’s Rachel Daly hit a curler off the crossbar in the 16th minute before Spain failed to convert an easy one just a minute later (17th). The only goal of the match was found in the 29th minute when Olga Carmona struck a left-footed line-drive across the box and into the bottom-right corner. That made it 1-nil, Spain, and that was all she wrote. Spain kept the pressure on, earning a penalty in the 69th off a handball, but Jennifer Hermoso’s shot was saved. England’s attack grew weary, and the Lionesses found little opportunities down the stretch.

 

The Final Whistle

Spanish goalkeeper Cata Coll corralled England’s final effort on a corner kick 14 minutes into stoppage time (90’+14), then fell to the grass as the final whistle blew. Elation for Espana!

 

Spain’s 1st World Cup Crown

La Roja are teh surprising winners of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in just their third World Cup appearance. The first two saw Spain get knocked out in the group stage (2015) before losing to the USWNT in the Round of 16, 2-1 (2019). They began the tournament ranked 6th in FIFA World Rankings.

 

Fun Fact: Spain joins Germany as the only two countries to win both the men’s and women’s World Cups.

 

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Awards

Golden Boot (5 Goals): Hinata Miyazawa (Japan)

Golden Glove (4 Goals Allowed): Mary Earps (England)

Golden Ball (Best Player): Aitana Bonmati (Spain)

Best Young Player (2 Goals): Salma Paralluelo (Spain)

 

Watch: Spain Beats England (1-0) for 1st Ever Women’s World Cup Title

 

That’ll do it for our coverage of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup! It’s been a fun (and tiring) month of overnight matches and agonizing penalty shootouts. Congrats to the newest champions of the world!

 

Read More

FIFA: Sweden Shuts Out Australia (2-0) for 3rd Place (Video)

USA Today: World Cup Final Recap: Spain Beats England (1-0) for 1st Title

Yahoo! Sports: Spain Beats England in Tense Final to Complete Its Rise to the Sport’s Summit

SI: With a World Cup Title Won Amid Controversy, It’s Time for Spain to Do Right By Its Players

 

Photo: Daniela Porcelli / ISI Photos / Getty Images